Editorial: 7 reasons to hire Jon Gruden

U-T San Diego Editorial Board

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For each of the numerous NFL teams looking for a new coach or general manager, we’ll likely hear that this will be the “most important hire ever!” But for the San Diego Chargers, this truly is their most important hire ever. The Chargers had numerous home games blacked out in 2012 and have lost the city. Accordingly, the Spanos family should hire Jon Gruden to be vice president in charge of football operations and head coach for the following reasons:

Gruden is a Super Bowl-winning coach. He took an ascending team with a great defense, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, to the 2003 Super Bowl title. He is a proven winner. He has seen every team, up close and personal, as an ESPN analyst and knows personnel.

Gruden is a great communicator who will excite fans and media alike. The Chargers have been hurt by their lack of positive communication for years. Whether it was the arrogance of former General Manager A.J. Smith, the desire for privacy of the Spanos family or the perceived lack of fire from likable former coach Norv Turner, the Chargers need someone to light a fire in this community.

Gruden is a quarterback guru and offensive genius. He offers the quickest route to unlock and maximize Philip Rivers’ potential and to restore the Chargers’ lightning-bolt offense.

In Tampa, Gruden retained Tony Dungy’s defensive coordinator, Monte Kiffin. He likely would be open to retaining John Pagano as his defensive coordinator. Pagano has the defense performing well.

As vice president of football operations, Gruden could work with John and A.G. Spanos, Jimmy Raye and Ed McGuire – as long as Gruden had final say on personnel issues. This is a structure that ultimately is the most desirable for the Spanos family.

Gruden would require at least $6 million annually, as would most big-name coaches. But with both Turner’s and Smith’s salaries coming off the books, it is almost a push in terms of outflow after year one.

Finally, Gruden is showbiz. He would not only win back the fans, but also help sell a new stadium to the citizens of San Diego County. And he is the best insurance to succeed in Los Angeles if San Diego is ultimately unable to deliver a new stadium.

Jon Gruden would provide a packed stadium, an excited city and high TV ratings, and would maximize both revenue and performance. He is a great NFL coach and an exciting communicator and motivator. The U-T believes the Chargers should make the certain choice and hire Gruden as its VP of football operations and head coach.